Recovering from a spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most challenging experiences a person can endure. Trauma to the spinal cord can cause partial or total paralysis, robbing victims of the health and mobility they once enjoyed.
An estimated 296,000 people in the United States currently live with a spinal cord injury. Nearly 18,000 new cases are reported each year, many of which leave victims with ongoing medical issues and lifelong disabilities. The cost to manage these needs is astounding.
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NCISC), the estimated lifetime cost of an SCI can be as high as $2.8 million, with hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical expenses needed every year for SCI-related treatments. That figure doesn’t account for the other substantial losses that come with a disabling injury, such as lost wages and benefits.
Did you sustain an SCI in an Oahu accident? A Waipahu spinal cord injury lawyer from Recovery Law Center can review your case and discuss your legal options in a free consultation. Call or contact us today to get started.
How Can a Spinal Cord Injury Impact Your Life?
The spinal cord is a nerve network protected by the bones of the spine (vertebrae). The cord carries messages from the brain to every part of the body, controlling movement and sensation. Any injury to the spine can have a drastic effect on your life.
The ultimate impact of a spinal cord injury will depend on the severity of the trauma and where it occurred. The higher the trauma, the worse the outcomes tend to be.
Less than one percent of SCI survivors recover fully from their injuries by the time they leave the hospital. And sadly, 30 percent of those people are re-hospitalized at least once in the year after their injury. In addition, many survivors rely on wheelchairs, ventilators, CPAP machines, transfer equipment, positioning devices, and round-the-clock home health care to meet their daily needs.
Most Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
There are several types of spinal cord injuries, all of which can result in serious and potentially fatal conditions. SCIs can cause other muscles and systems to shut down, both at the time of injury and even later in life.
The levels of spinal cord injuries include:
- Cervical spinal cord injury: Damage to the cervical (neck) can be deadly without immediate treatment. The cervical region controls the ability to breathe. Because the injury occurs so high in the spine, cervical SCIs also create the possibility for a massive loss of bodily function below the area of the injury.
- Thoracic spinal cord injury: The thoracic area of the spine controls the arms, chest, mid-back, and trunk of the body. Damage to the thoracic spine can cause paralysis in the legs and lower body. Upper-level thoracic SCIs may also cause problems regulating body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure ― all life-threatening complications.
- Lumbar spinal cord injury: The lower spinal region (or lumbar area) is composed of five vertebrae. A lumbar SCI impacts the legs and hips and may also cause loss of bladder, bowel, and sexual function.
The severity of a spinal cord injury also depends on whether doctors classify the injury as complete or incomplete:
- Complete SCI: The patient has no movement or sensation below the level of injury.
- Incomplete SCI: Some feeling or movement is possible below the injury site.
Spinal cord injury survivors may experience temporary or permanent paralysis due to their injuries.
- Paraplegia: Paralysis of the legs and lower body
- Tetraplegia: Paralysis of all four limbs, also known as quadriplegia
Recent NCISC data show that 47 percent of SCIs result in incomplete tetraplegia. The percentages for complete paraplegia and incomplete tetraplegia were essentially the same, at 20 percent each. Complete tetraplegia is the least common SCI, comprising about 12 percent of all injuries.
Types of Accidents Leading to SCIs in Waipahu
Spinal cord injuries can happen in any serious accident, but certain types of incidents are more common in Oahu due to the island’s unique geography, traffic patterns, and outdoor lifestyle:
Motor Vehicle Collisions
Car, motorcycle, and truck crashes are the leading cause of SCIs nationwide, and Oahu is no exception. Honolulu County roads can be congested, and high-speed crashes on the H-1 freeway or Pali Highway often result in severe trauma. Motorcycle accidents are particularly dangerous. Riders have limited protection, and even low-speed collisions can result in catastrophic injuries.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
Oahu has a high rate of pedestrian traffic, and busy crosswalks in Waipahu, Pearl City, and Honolulu put walkers at risk. Cyclists also face hazards from inattentive drivers, poorly lit streets, and road debris. A direct impact can throw a cyclist from their bike, leading to neck, back, and spinal injuries.
Diving and Water-Related Incidents
Hawaii’s beautiful beaches attract swimmers and divers year-round, but shallow-water diving accidents are a frequent cause of cervical spinal cord injuries. Hitting the ocean floor or submerged rocks can fracture vertebrae and cause paralysis. Boating and jet ski accidents also pose risks, particularly in tourist-heavy areas like Waikiki.
Recreational and Sports Injuries
Oahu’s active lifestyle means locals and visitors regularly engage in activities such as surfing, hiking, and playing contact sports. Surfing wipeouts, falls on rocky hiking trails, or impact injuries from football or rugby can all result in traumatic SCIs. Even recreational trampoline use and skateboarding accidents have been linked to severe back and spinal injuries.
Falls and Workplace Accidents
Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or uneven surfaces remain a leading cause of SCIs. Construction workers, hotel staff, and maintenance crews in Oahu face these risks daily. A workplace fall can have life-altering consequences and may entitle victims to workers’ compensation in addition to other claims.
Long-Term Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries on Quality of Life
The aftermath of a spinal cord injury goes far beyond the initial hospitalization. Survivors often face lifelong physical, emotional, and financial challenges that require constant adjustment and support.
Mobility Limitations and Daily Living
Damage to the spinal cord can lead to severe mobility issues. Victims may need wheelchairs, walkers, or adaptive devices to perform basic daily tasks. Depending on whether it is a complete SCI or an incomplete injury, the severity may require full-time care or home modifications like ramps and roll-in showers.
Secondary Medical Complications
Spinal cord injury cases often involve ongoing medical complications such as muscle spasms, chronic pain, loss of bladder or bowel control, and problems regulating heart rate or breathing. In high-level injuries, ventilators and CPAP machines may be necessary for respiratory support. Reviewing medical records and expert treatment plans enables a skilled legal team to build strong cases for maximum financial compensation, ensuring clients can access the care they need.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
Beyond the physical harm, victims often endure emotional suffering. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are common after a traumatic accident. Many injured individuals struggle to return to work or resume their normal routines, leading to social isolation. A compassionate injury attorney can help connect victims with mental health resources in Hawaii and recover damages for pain and suffering as part of their personal injury cases.
Financial and Lifestyle Challenges
The cost of living with a spinal injury can reach tens of millions of dollars over a lifetime. Families must cover medical expenses, lost income, assistive equipment, and long-term care. Whether the injury resulted from a car accident, burn injuries, or someone else’s carelessness, a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help you recover compensation for all damages, including rehabilitation and future treatment.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Builds a Strong SCI Case
Successfully handling spinal cord injury cases requires a blend of medical knowledge, legal strategy, and compassion for victims and their family. Here’s how a strong case is built step by step:
- Your injury attorney reviews police reports, witness statements, and accident scene photos to determine liability for the cord injury.
- A qualified personal injury lawyer works with doctors to collect detailed medical records, and document how the damage affects mobility, heart rate, brain function, and overall quality of life.
- Your waipahu personal injury lawyer factors in medical bills, lost wages, home modifications for lumbar area injuries, rehabilitation, and other expenses, building strong cases that account for tens of millions in lifetime care costs.
- Beyond economic losses, the legal team ensures damages for emotional suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental health challenges are included in the personal injury claim.
- With deep legal experience, your injury lawyer engages insurers to secure a fair settlement, challenging low offers and preparing to go to trial if necessary to help you recover compensation.
- From start to finish, your attorney explains your legal options, monitors the statute of limitations, and keeps you informed. Most of the best law firms offer a free consultation and work on contingency, meaning no fees unless you win.
- By providing a valid phone number and key case details, clients enable the firm to communicate quickly, allowing them to focus on their recovery. At the same time, their lawyer fights for what they deserve.
Call Recovery Law Center to Move Forward After a Spinal Cord Injury
Recovering from a spinal cord injury is a long and often challenging journey, both physically and emotionally. The road ahead may involve extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and adjustments to your daily life, and the costs can quickly become overwhelming. If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, you should not be left to bear these burdens alone.
Our experienced spinal cord injury attorney at Recovery Law Center, led by attorney Glenn Honda, provides full legal assistance and gives you the best chance to focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
Take the first step today and contact us to schedule a free consultation online to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
